Thyroidism: A Guide
Written by: Seada
It is not uncommon to learn a friend of family member has been diagnosed hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. If this is the first time you are hearing about these conditions, you may wish to understand further. Hyperthyroidism is an overabundance of the thyroid hormone, and hypothyroidism is a deficiency of the same hormone.
An individual diagnosed with hyperthyroidism may experience:
- Weight loss
- Palpitations
- Anxiety
- Eye protrusions
- Tremors, irritability
- Menstrual disturbances
- Fatigue
- Heat intolerance
- Increased appetite
An individual diagnosed with hypothyroidism will experience symptoms of:
- Sluggish metabolism
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Forgetfulness
- Cold intolerance or sensitivity to cold
- Depression
- Dry skin
- Constipation
- Loss of ambition
- Loss of hair
- Muscle cramps
- Stiffness
- Joint pain
- Emotional lability
- Loss of the outer third of the eyebrows
- Menstrual irregularities
- Infertility
- Weakness
Perhaps your symptoms of thyroidism have been confused with depression, stress, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. Due to the misdiagnosis, you may have been prescribed antidepressants to modify the symptoms. If you have been properly diagnosed with thyroidism, synthetic medication is necessary to calm the symptoms, but keep in mind that medication does not resolve the root problem.
The presented symptoms of thyroidism do not appear overnight; they develop over extended lengths of time when we face a traumatic event or multiple disturbing events that cause a stress response (fight-flight-freeze). In these situations, the thyroid works hard to support the body;s survival under tough circumstances. Now, imagine your thyroid gland assumes you are always under attack whenever an unpleasant moment in time provokes a fight response?
Identifying your triggers may be the best alternative to slowing down autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland. Doing so can come with a great benefits: prevention of autoimmune disease, dependability of medication, and feeling better.
Please consult with your doctor to complete a comprehensive tests on your TSH levels to detect whether your thyroid levels are functioning well. This small butterfly shaped organ does control your entire body, so imagine what happens to your organs when your body assumes it is under attack?
Part 2: Identification of triggers and prevention will be discussed shortly.
With love,
Seada